Convertible garment, method of making convertible garment, kit for making convertible garment, and bands for use therewith

ABSTRACT

A wearable garment includes a tube of material to cover a torso of the wearer, and a band in the shape of a loop. When unshaped, the tube has a substantially uniform diameter along a length thereof. To shape the garment, the band is removably connected to the tube at first and second points, which are spaced apart on same edge of the tube. The first and second points are gathered handfuls of the material along the same edge of the tube, and are directly and releasably connected to each other and secured by the band in the shaped position to define an opening along the edge of the tube. The tube returns to the unshaped position when the band is removed and the first and second points are disconnected from each other.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of the following provisionalapplication: 61/524,077 filed 16 Aug. 2011, all of which is expresslyincorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The technical field relates in general to garments, and morespecifically to convertible garments and garment connections for use inconnection therewith.

BACKGROUND

The inventor's background is in fashion. She believes in dressing simplybut fashionably, without spending a lot of money. She doesn't believe inover packing or checking luggage when traveling.

Many women share these beliefs. Despite the wide variety of availableclothing, there still exists a need for a garment which is simple butallows the user to be fashionable or even elegant.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, one or more embodiments provide a wearable garment to beworn by a wearer. The wearable garment includes a band and a tube a tubeof material to cover a torso of the wearer, the tube in an unshapedposition having a substantially uniform diameter along a length thereof,the tube having a top edge and a bottom edge opposite to the top edge.The band can be removably connected to the tube in a shaped position atfirst and second points of the tube of material, the first and secondpoints being spaced apart on same edge of the tube in the unshapedposition, the first and second points being gathered handfuls of thematerial along the same edge of the tube in the shaped positions. Thefirst and second points can be directly and releasably connected to eachother and secured by being wrapped together by the band, when thegarment is shaped, to define at least one opening along the edge of thetube. The tube returns to the unshaped position when the first andsecond points are disconnected from each other.

According to another embodiment, the edge of the tube is straight whenthe garment is in an unshaped position (the unshaped position is whenthe tube is laid flat). The points are gathered handfuls of the materialof the tube along the straight edge, of the tube in the shaped position(the shaped position is when a shape of the tube is adapted to a body ofa wearer).

According to still another embodiment, an adjustable connection point isformed when the band secures the first and second points that aredirectly and releasably connected that adjusts a length of a shortportion of the edge of the tube between the adjustable connection point,and the short portion of the edge of the tube between the adjustableconnection point forms the at least one opening that accommodates aneck, torso, shoulder or limb of the wearer.

According to yet another embodiment, an adjustable connection point isformed by the band that secures the first and second points that aredirectly and releasably connected, that adjusts a length of a longportion of the edge of the tube between the adjustable connection point,and the long portion of the top edge of the tube between the first andsecond points, together form the at least one opening that accommodatesa torso or hip of the wearer.

In a variation, cut ends of at least one of the edges of the tube areunfinished.

In another variation, the band is formed of silicon material.

In still another variation, the band has a flat length of between 2 and3 inches, and a width of between 0.1 and 0.2 inches.

According to other variations, the garment is a sleeveless top, asleeveless dress, or a skirt.

According to yet another embodiment, there is a kit for a convertiblegarment. The kit includes the tube, a plurality of the bands, andinstructions for converting the tube to different wearable garments asoutlined above.

In another embodiment, the instructions include a code to downloadfurther instructions for converting the wearable garment to additionalstyles.

Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S.Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially thescientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiarwith patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from acursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure ofthe application. The abstract is neither intended to define theinvention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is itintended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer toidentical or functionally similar elements and which together with thedetailed description below are incorporated in and form part of thespecification, serve to further illustrate various exemplary embodimentsand to explain various principles and advantages in accordance with theembodiments.

FIG. 1A to FIG. 1G illustrate a first embodiment.

FIG. 2A to FIG. 2F illustrate a details in relation to a convertiblegarment.

FIG. 3A to FIG. 3F illustrate a second embodiment.

FIG. 4A to FIG. 4F illustrate a third embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 6A to FIG. 6C illustrate a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 7A to FIG. 7G illustrate a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 8A to FIG. 8E illustrate a seventh embodiment.

FIG. 9A to FIG. 9F illustrate an eighth embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In overview, the present disclosure concerns the creation of garments,sometimes referred to as clothing, for individuals. Such garments asenvisioned herein can be adjusted by the wearer to create a desiredshape and fit, and readily can be converted by the wearer to a garmentwith a different appearance by changing the shape and fit. Moreparticularly, various inventive concepts and principles are embodied indevices, systems, and methods for converting a garment, a kit for makingthe convertible garment, and a device for enabling a wearer toadjustably create different versions of the convertible garment.

The instant disclosure is provided to further explain in an enablingfashion the best modes of performing one or more embodiments. Thedisclosure is further offered to enhance an understanding andappreciation for the inventive principles and advantages thereof, ratherthan to limit in any manner the invention.

As further discussed herein below, various inventive principles andcombinations thereof are advantageously employed to provide a simplegarment which can be converted into various elegant garments.

By sewing up fabric on one side to create a tube of fabric, in a varietyof lengths, the tube can be manipulated by a wearer into differentstyles. Bands are provided which facilitate the process of manipulatingthe fabric tube. By using different fabrics and different places for thebands, a completely different lifestyle of dressing is created. Nolonger would a person need to decide what to wear, try it on, and seewhether it fits right that day. Instead, a person can take the fabrictube of the desired fabric, style it to fit that day, to be loose, long,short, tight, loose, strapless, one shoulder, a halter, with a scarf andso on.

There can be one piece which can be worn, e.g., forty different ways,and nobody would know that it was all the same piece of fabric.

(1) Because the convertible garment is simply sized in length (e.g.,short, medium, long), it can fit anyone. People don't feel uncomfortablein buying sizes.

(2) The convertible garment can appeal across the world. Clothes aresized differently in Europe, Italy, the United States, France, etc.Moreover, a size two (2) in Michael Kors is not a size two (2) in RalphLauren. Because this convertible garment is sized by length, there is noneed to worry about sizing.

(3) Accessories can be added to the wrapped clothing.

Some examples of styles are discussed below, to illustrate by way ofexample the use of the fabric tube and bands to shape and drape in agarment from an otherwise flat piece of fabric, and to create areleasable and adjustable connection in the garment instead of usingconventional seams. However, a number of other styles are possible byapplying the principles herein. In comparison to traditional clothing,patterns are used to place the connection as seams, darts or similar. Afirst embodiment is discussed in connection with FIG. 1A to FIG. 1G todemonstrate basic principles, the convertible garment is furtherdescribed in connection with FIG. 2A to FIG. 2F, and then various otherembodiments are discussed in connection with other figures.

EMBODIMENT 1 Halter Cowl Neck

Referring now to FIG. 1A to FIG. 1G, a first embodiment will bediscussed and described. A convertible garment 1 created as illustratedin FIG. 1A-1G is a halter cowl neck 101. The convertible garment 1generally has first and second openings 15, 17 which are shaped asdiscussed herein from the tube. The wearer's torso 19 is to be coveredby the garment 1 and extend from a second opening 17 of the garment, anda part of the body such as a neck, limb, shoulder or other part of torso21 which is to extend from a first opening 15 of the convertible garment1. The wearer steps into the tube 3 and pulls from the front obliquelyupward and away from the body so that the fabric is pulled close to theback of the torso 19, as in FIG. 1A. In FIG. 1B and 1C, the drape forthe neckline between left and right pulled points 7, 9 (11, 13) at thetop edge of the fabric is being determined while the user is standing inthe tube with the fabric pulled against the user's back. The location ofthe finger tips at points 7, 9 along the edge of the fabric determinesnot only the amount of drape in the cowl neck but also how low or highthe neckline is. Fingers closer together result in a high neckline(because the length of fabric between the fingers is shorter), whereasfingers further apart result in a deeper neckline (because the length offabric between the fingers is longer). The finger tips which are stillholding the pulled points 7 (11) of the fabric are brought togetherbehind the neck, as in FIG. 1D, to be secured together using a band 5.In FIG. 1E, the pulled fabric points 7(11), 9(13) are overlapped orintertwined, about an inch on each end, and a flexible plastic band 5 inthe shape of a loop is placed over the pulled fabric points and wrappedaround tighter to form an adjustable connection point 23, much like aband around a pony tail. In FIG. 1F, the fabric which sticks out fromthe adjustable connection point shapes the points 7(11), 9(13) intoears. The points/ears can be pulled away from each other, which is moreattractive. FIG. 1G illustrates the finally shaped garment 1, i.e., thehalter cowl neck 101.

Accordingly, there can be provided a garment 1 to be worn by a wearer.The garment 1 can include a tube 3 of material such as a drapeable,possibly stretchable fabric to cover a torso 19 of the wearer, and aband 5 in the shape of a loop. When unshaped, the tube 3 has asubstantially tubular shape with a uniform diameter along a lengththereof, from top opening to bottom opening. To shape the unshaped tube3 into the garment 1, the band 5 is removably connected to the tube atfirst and second points 7, 9, which are spaced apart on same edge of thetube, here, the top edge of the tube. The first and second points 7, 9are gathered handfuls 11, 13 of the material along the same edge of thetube, and are directly and releasably connected to each other andsecured by the band (collectively, an adjustable connection point), tocreate the shaped of the convertible garment (a “shaped position”), andto define two openings along the edge of the tube. Also, when thewearer's body is inside the tube, the wearer's body extends from insidethe bottom opening of the tube. The wearer's body extends from one orboth of the two openings along the edge of the tube, for example, theneck 21 extends from a small 15 one of the two openings, and the torsoand shoulders 19 extend from a large 17 one of the two openings. Thetube 3 returns to the unshaped position when the band is removed and thefirst and second points 7, 9 are disconnected from each other. The tube3 and the band 5 can then be used to the same or a different style ofthe wearable garment 1.

The different embodiments illustrated herein serve to suggest the widerange of styles that can be created from the same tubular piece offabric (e.g., tube 3) which has at most the seam to create the tube andone or more bands 5, without resorting to permanent construction detailssuch as stitches, darts, facings, buttons, snaps, zippers and the like.Consequently, the same garment 1 can be shaped into different styles andcan be adjusted to fit different body types and shapes of differentwearers, or the same body as it may change from time-to-time.

It should be noted that portions of this discussion which areduplicative amongst the different embodiments are sometimes notrepeated, to avoid obscuring the concepts.

The Tube

Referring now to FIG. 2A to FIG. 2F, details in relation to aconvertible garment will be discussed and described. FIG. 2A to FIG. 2Cprovide details in connection with providing parts of a convertiblegarment, FIG. 2D to FIG. 2F provides details on connection with making aconvertible garment.

The fabric tube can be created from a flat piece of fabric, such asconventionally sold on a bolt. For example, fabric which isapproximately 60″ wide (or other conventional width as sold on a boltsuch as 45″, 50″ or 54″) is cut to a desired length. FIG. 2A is a planview of a fabric piece 203 cut to a predetermined width W and apredetermined length L. The fabric piece can be woven or cut to thepredetermined width W and/or length L. Lengths can be, for example, 30″(short), 44″ (medium) or 60″ (long), or other lengths. FIG. 2B is a planview of the fabric tube 205 prepared according to the above description.As illustrated in FIG. 2B, a seam 213 can sewn along the 30″, 44″ or 60″long edge to create the fabric tube 205 which has a diameter of, e.g.,60″. Techniques are known for creating a seam in fabric. Alternatively,the fabric can be woven into a tube and cut to the desired length. Thediameter of the fabric tube 206 is substantially the same along thelength L of the fabric tube.

To create a nice drape and to shape the fabric, the material which isused as the fabric can have stretch or give, such as a knit fabric, afabric with Lycra content, a knit jersey, a knit rayon, a knit cotton, aknit wool, combinations of such materials, a stretchy pleather, orsimilar.

The fabric tube 206 has top end 215 and a bottom end 217 which have beencut as described above. The cut ends of the fabric can be leftunfinished. If the cut ends are finished, they should be finishedappropriately so that the fabric can stretch to allow for the drapingand tying. Alternatively, a stretchy decorative finish can be applied toone or both cut ends, and/or the cut end can be cut into a decorativefinish. For example, a stretch stitch or stretch lace can be applied tothe top and/or bottom ends 215, 217.

The diameter of 60″ permits wearers of various sizes to stand inside thefabric tube. Other sizes with a smaller or larger diameter can be used,provided a wearer can be inserted inside the tube 205.

Whether any of the embodiments is a top, a short dress, or a long dressdepends on the length of the tube. For example, if Embodiment 1 iscreated with a 30″ (short) fabric tube, it can be worn as a blouse. Asanother example, if Embodiment 1 is created with a 60″ (long) fabrictube, it can be worn as a mid-length dress.

The Band

Reference is now made to FIG. 2C, which provides additional details inconnection with a band that secures a tube 207 to provide theconvertible garment, and/or a kit 211 for a convertible garment. Theband is used to secure pulled points of the tube 207, to shape the tubeinto a convertible garment. The use of the band also avoids the use ofseams to shape the garment. Thus, the combination of the band and thetube 207 (as further described) create draping in the tube which followsa natural contour of a wearer's body within the tube 207.

A kit 211 for making a convertible garment can include the tube 207 andone or more bands. Optionally, instructions for making the convertiblegarment can be included with the kit.

Referring now to FIG. 2D, the tube 207 (not illustrated to scale) is atube with the same diameter throughout. Usually, to create the garmentthe wearer is standing inside the tube 207. A right point (R-POINT) anda left point (L-POINT) are hypothetically positioned on the tube 207 andare areas where handfuls of fabric are gathered together, pulled upward(referred to as “pulled points”), and then the pulled points areconnected together so as to a single fashion strap for the garment whichis draped around part of the wearer's body. (The term “handful” is usedto indicate an amount of fabric that can be conveniently grasped in onehand, though it may be a small part of fabric.) A first part A of theedge of the fabric between the right and left points will createdraping, and a second part B-R, B-L of the edge of the fabric createright and left straps. The short distance (A plus B-R plus B-L) betweenthe right and left points determines the amount of drape on the shortdistance between the right and left points. The long distance betweenthe right and left points (for example, behind the wearer) determineshow tight or loose the strap is on the user's body. The right and leftpoints may be disposed closer together, or further apart. As usedherein, the “short portion” of the edge of the tube and the “longportion” of the edge of the tube refer to the edge of the tube, which ishypothetically divided by the two points (or divided by the single“connection point” when the two points are connected) which are unevenlyspaced apart into the “long portion” and the “short portion,” a lengthof the short portion of the edge of the tube between the adjustableconnection point forms an opening that accommodates a neck, torso,shoulder or limb of the wearer; a length of a long portion of the edgeof the tube between the adjustable connection point, forms an openingthat accommodates a torso or hip of the wearer.

As illustrated in FIG. 2E, the material of the tube 219 at the right andleft points is bunched together with the second part of the edge of thefabric to create, in effect, right and left straps. Because a wearer isinside the garment, the tube 219 can be adjusted to achieve the desiredamount of snugness by pulling the right and left points higher. Becausethe tube 219 is bunched together along a portion of the top of the tube,the effect is to not only increase the length of the straps but also toreducing the diameter of the top end of the tube and thus the longdistance 239 between the straps. Meanwhile, the diameter of the bottomend 225 of the tube remains essentially the same.

Then, as illustrated in FIG. 2F, the right and left points 233, 235 arepulled together at a connection point and can be securely connected, forexample with the band. The connection point can be adjusted to bepositioned higher or lower along the straps as desired, to adjust thetightness of the straps and the amount of drape 237 between the straps.The band can be removed from the tube 231 when the wearer undresses. Theright and left points, amount of drape 237 between the straps, distancebetween the straps around the wearer's back, and/or the band can berepositioned as desired to create a variety of different garments.

The bands provided for the convertible garment should avoid breakage.The bands should avoid knotting. Also, the bands are used in closeproximity to a wearer's hair and consequently should avoid gettingcaught in the hair. The bands can be easily re-used. Plastic materialswhich have these properties can be used for the bands. For example,silicon is an appropriate material. In comparison, ordinary officesupply rubber bands tend to break, tend to develop knots, and tend tosnag hair. They may be used, but they do not have these desirableproperties.

An appropriate dimension for the band is a flat length of 2.34″, and awidth of 0.157″, or similar. A smaller or larger dimension may be used.Generally, a flat length of between 2 to 3 inches and a width of between0.1 to 0.2 inches is useful. The band can have a flat cross section witha depth less than the width, or it can have a round cross section. Theband can be elastic so that it can be manipulated to wrap around thefabric.

The bands are commercially available from Aero Rubber, in Chicago. Thebands can have a clear translucent or transparent finish, so that theycan be blend into different colors of fabric when they are notconcealed. Hence, the bands can be used with different fabric tubes.Other colors can be provided. Ordinary office supply rubber bands tendto break, tend to develop knots, and tend to snag hair.

EMBODIMENT 2 One Shoulder

Referring now to FIG. 3A to FIG. 3F, a second embodiment will bediscussed and described. The convertible garment 1 created asillustrated in FIG. 3A to FIG. 3F is a one shoulder 301. The wearersteps into the fabric tube 3. As shown in FIG. 3A, the wearer places thefabric under whichever shoulder 21 is desired for the one-shoulder. Thewearer pulls handfuls of an edge of the fabric at pulled points 7, 9just in front of and just behind the shoulder, while the user isstanding in the tube 3 with the fabric pulled against the user's underarm to the desired degree of tightness, and pulled against the oppositeside of the body 19 for the desired tightness and drape. The location ofthe finger tips along the edge of the fabric determines not only theamount of drape across the body but also how tight the one-shoulder is.The finger tips which are still holding the pulled fabric points 7, 9are brought together over the shoulder and one hand grasps the fabricpoints, as in FIG. 3B. In FIG. 3C, the pulled fabric points 7, 9 areoverlapped or intertwined, about an inch on each end, and a flexibleplastic band 5 is placed over the pulled fabric points and wrappedaround tighter, much like a pony tail, the combination of which is anadjustable connection point 23. FIG. 3D and FIG. 3A illustrate thecreation of an optional “flower knot” from the banded fabric points. InFIG. 3D, the two flaps of excess fabric 7, 9 are pulled away from eachother and from the band 5, and in FIG. 3E, a loop of the wrappedflexible band 5 is pulled out and the flaps of fabric 7, 9 are tucked inunderneath the loop of the flexible band 5, so as to create a fabric“flower knot”. The “flower knot” tends to cover more of the flexibleband. Alternatively, the knot finish as in FIG. 1F can be used. FIG. 3Fillustrates the final convertible garment, i.e., the halter cowl neck301, here with the “flower knot”.

EMBODIMENT 3 Knot Front halter

Referring now to FIG. 4A to FIG. 4F, a third embodiment will bediscussed and described. The convertible garment 1 created asillustrated in FIG. 4A-4F 401 is a knot front halter. An additional knotis used here in the front to create drape and shape, in comparison tothe halter neck illustrated in FIG. 1A to FIG. 1F. The wearer steps intothe tube 3 and pulls points 7, 9 from the front obliquely upward andaway from the body so that the fabric is pulled close to the back (as inFIG. 1A to FIG. 1F). The wearer grasps the top edge of the fabric tocreate pulled points 11, 13 while the user is standing in the tube 3with the fabric pulled against the user's back. The pulled points of thefabric are tied in a simple over-under knot, as illustrated in FIG. 4A,with the hands still grasping the fabric. In FIG. 4B, the knot is pulledtight. As illustrated in FIG. 4C, a second knot is created by tying thepulled points 7, 9 of the fabric a second time in a simple over-underknot. The double-knot is pulled tight. The finger tips which are stillholding the pulled points 7, 9 of the fabric are pulled up as in FIG.4D, and then brought together behind the neck, as in FIG. 4E. Aspreviously discussed in connection with Embodiment 1, the pulled fabricpoints 7, 9 are overlapped or intertwined and a flexible plastic band 5is placed over the pulled fabric points and wrapped around to create theadjustable connection point 23, and then the fabric points or ears arepulled away from each other. FIG. 4F illustrates the garment shaped intoa final product, i.e., the halter cowl neck 401.

As a first alternative, the ends of the double knot as illustrated inFIG. 4F can be left loose instead of being pulled back into the halter,which creates a strapless top or dress with the double-knot finish.

EMBODIMENT 4 Side Knot Skirt

Referring now to FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C and FIG. 5, a fourth embodiment willbe discussed and described. The convertible garment 1 created asillustrated in FIG. 5 is a side knot skirt 501. The steps of Embodiment3 are followed from FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C, and will not be repeated in thisdiscussion. However, when the double-knot is created, the garment 1 isdropped to the waist part of the torso 19 or below the waist asillustrated in FIG. 5.

EMBODIMENT 5 Cross Front Halter

Referring now to FIG. 6A to FIG. 6C, a fifth embodiment will bediscussed and described. The convertible garment 1 created asillustrated in FIG. 6A-6C is a cross front halter 601. As shown in FIG.6A, the wearer steps into the tube 3 and uses her fingers to grasp thetop edge of the fabric in front of the under arms to create pulledpoints 7, 9 while the user is standing in the tube 3 with the fabricpulled against the user's back. The pulled points 7, 9 of the fabric arecrossed in front of the body over to the opposite side. That is, thepulled point 7 on the right is crossed to the left side, and the pulledpoint 9 on the left is crossed to the right side. The fingers which arestill holding the pulled points of the fabric are pulled up and thenbrought together behind the neck, as in FIG. 6B. As previously discussedin connection with Embodiment 1, the pulled fabric points 7, 9 areoverlapped or intertwined and a flexible plastic band is placed over thepulled fabric points and wrapped around, and then the fabric points orears are pulled away from each other. FIG. 6C illustrates the finalproduct, i.e., the cross front halter 601.

EMBODIMENT 6 Strapless with a Dart Detail

Referring now to FIG. 7A to FIG. 7G, a sixth embodiment will bediscussed and described. The convertible garment 1 created asillustrated in FIG. 7A to FIG. 7G is a strapless dress or top 701.Strapless dresses can be created in several ways. The fabric can bepulled back as illustrated here. The wearer can fold over a top part ofthe fabric to cover the bust or to cover to the waist. As shown in FIG.7A, the wearer steps into the tube 3 and uses her fingers to grasp thetop edge of the fabric at the sides to create pulled points 7, 11 whilethe user is standing in the tube with the fabric pulled tight around theuser's bust. The fingers which are still holding the pulled points 7, 9of the fabric are pulled backwards and up between the shoulder blades,as in FIG. 7B. As previously discussed in connection with Embodiment 1,the pulled fabric points 7, 9 are overlapped or intertwined and aflexible plastic band 5 is placed over the pulled fabric points andwrapped around, and then the fabric points or ears are pulled away fromeach other. This creates a strapless top. In FIG. 7C to FIG. 7F, a dartdetail 25 is created by knotting inside the fabric. Such dart detailscan be placed as desired anywhere on the dress. In FIG. 7C, the fingeris placed at a predetermined location 29 on the outside of the fabricwhere the dart detail is desired. In FIG. 7D, while holding the fingeron the predetermined location 29 on the outside of the fabric, the tube3 (which has top and bottom halves 31, 33) is pulled up to reveal thepoint 27 inside of the fabric at the dart location under the finger. InFIG. 7E, the bottom half 33 of the tub is still pulled up, and thewearer pulls a small point 27 of the fabric at the dart location, whichis under the finger and removes the finger. In FIG. 7F, the wearersecurely wraps the point 27 of the fabric with the band 5, so as to makea knot inside the tube. FIG. 7G illustrates the final product, thestrapless garment with dart detail. The knot created by the point 27wrapped in the band 5 is removable (in that it can be completelyremoved) and adjustable (in that more or less fabric can be included asdesired, and/or the knot can be repositioned).

The dart detail 25 can be used in connection with a number of differentembodiments or other styles.

For example, by using a dart detail 25, a longer dress can be shorteneddue to the fabric gathered into the dart detail. As another example, thedart detail can be added to a convertible garment created according tothe first embodiment.

As another example, the dart detail can be readily used along the sides,for example, to further shape a garment by gathering in excess fabric.

EMBODIMENT 7 Fold Over Strapless with Bustle Knot Back

Referring now to FIG. 8A to FIG. 8D, a seventh embodiment will bediscussed and described. The convertible garment 1 created asillustrated in FIG. 8A to 8D is a fold over strapless garment with abustle knot back 801. As shown in FIG. 8A, the user can stepped insidethe tube, which is comprised of top part 31 and bottom part 33. Thewearer folded over the top part 31 of the fabric tube to the outside tocover the bust. As shown in FIG. 8B, the wearer standing inside the tube3 uses her fingers to grasp the top edge of the fabric at the sides tocreate pulled points 7, 9 with the fabric pulled tight around the user'sbust. The fingers which are still holding the pulled points 7, 9 of thefabric are pulled together and up between the shoulder blades, as inFIG. 8C. The pulled fabric points 7, 9 are tied together as illustratedin FIG. 8D, and a flexible plastic band 5 is placed over the pulledfabric points and wrapped around to create an adjustable connectionpoint 23. The fabric points 7, 9 can be used to create a flower knot iscreated as previously discussed. This creates a strapless garment with abustle knot back 801 as illustrated in FIG. 8E.

EMBODIMENT 8 Cross Front Top

This embodiment is discussed in connection with FIG. 9A to FIG. 9F. Asshown in FIG. 9A, instead of stepping into the fabric tube, the tube 3is draped around the wearer's neck with the bottom of the fabric hangingin front of the wearer's body. The wearer uses her fingers to grasp theopposite edges of the fabric and to extend the arms down and outward tocreate a flat bottom edge of the garment between pulled points 7, 9,illustrated in FIG. 9B. As shown in FIG. 9C, the wearer takes the pulledpoints of the fabric backwards against the waist (behind the wearer).FIG. 9D illustrates that the pulled points 9, 7 of the fabric arebrought together behind the lower waist. As shown in FIG. 9D, the pulledfabric points 7, 9 are overlapped or intertwined and the band is placedover the pulled fabric points and wrapped around to create an adjustableconnection point. FIG. 9E illustrates an optional additional step, ofcreating pulled fabric points behind the underarms, which can also bepulled together to create a second adjustable connection point 23 ifdesired to create a wrap halter top. FIG. 9F illustrates the finalproduct, i.e., the cross front top 901. The knots can be concealed asdiscussed above, and the extra pieces can be folded under if desired.

Miscellaneous

The garment can be made in various length and different colors.Conveniently, a kit can be provided with a ready-to-use fabric tube andwith a selection of one or more bands (for example, five bands).Optionally, the kit can include instructions, such as indicating aninternet location that provides on-line how-to instructions such as anon-line video. By providing on-line how-to-instructions, theinstructions can be downloaded to an iPhone. Moreover, the instructionscan be updated to provide instructions for alternative garments to whichthe fabric tube can be converted.

In one or more embodiments, a special code can be provided to a wearerto allow the wearer to access or download additional methodologies forcreating another look from the fabric tube.

Furthermore, an on-line website can be provided for wearers to shareinformation regarding how to convert the garment to various styles.

This disclosure is intended to explain how to fashion and use variousembodiments in accordance with the invention rather than to limit thetrue, intended, and fair scope and spirit thereof. The invention isdefined solely by the appended claims, as they may be amended during thependency of this application for patent, and all equivalents thereof.The foregoing description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limitthe invention to the precise form disclosed. Modifications or variationsare possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiment(s) waschosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principlesof the invention and its practical application, and to enable one ofordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in variousembodiments and with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations arewithin the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims,as may be amended during the pendency of this application for patent,and all equivalents thereof, when interpreted in accordance with thebreadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.

1-19. (canceled)
 20. A method of providing a wearable garment to be wornby a wearer, comprising: (a) providing a tube of material adapted tocover a torso of the wearer, the tube in an unshaped position having asubstantially uniform diameter along a length thereof, the tube having atop edge and a bottom edge opposite to the top edge, the top edge of thetube in the unshaped position is straight; (b) inserting the torso ofthe wearer into the tube of material; (c) at each of first and secondpoints spaced apart from each other along the top edge of the tube,gathering the material in the tube, to form first and second straps atthe first and second points, the first and second straps are spacedapart from each other; (d) removably connecting a band to the tube atthe first and second straps of the tube of material, the first andsecond straps being directly connected to each other and releasablysecured to each other by the at least one band, to define an openingalong the edge of the tube between the first and second straps, whereinan adjustable connection point is formed by the band where it directlyconnects the first and second straps to each other, wherein the openingis adapted to accommodate a neck, torso, shoulder, limb, or hip of thewearer; and (e) moving the band on at least one of the first strap andthe second strap so that a location of the adjustable connection pointon the first and second straps is moved, and the band remains directlyconnected to both of the first and second straps while moving the band,to adjust a length of a short portion of the edge of the tube at the atleast one opening.
 21. The method of claim 20, further comprisingremoving the band from the first and second straps to return the tube tothe unshaped position.
 22. The method of claim 20, wherein at least oneof the top and bottom edges of the tube are unfinished.
 23. The methodof claim 20, wherein at least one of the top and bottom edges of thetube are finished.
 24. The method of claim 20, wherein the band isformed of silicon material.
 25. The method of claim 24, wherein the bandhas a flat length of between 2 and 3 inches, and a width of between 0.1and 0.2 inches.
 26. The method of claim 20, wherein the garment is asleeveless top, and the opening forms an armhole or neckhole.
 27. Themethod of claim 20, wherein the garment is a sleeveless dress, and thefirst opening forms an armhole or neckhole.
 28. The method of claim 20,wherein the garment is a skirt, and the first opening forms a waistband.29. The method of claim 20, further comprising providing, as a kit, thewearable garment and at least one band, and instructions for convertingthe tube to different wearable garments.
 30. The method of claim 29,wherein the instructions include a code to download further instructionsfor converting the wearable garment to additional styles, furthercomprising providing downloadable instructions responsive to receipt ofthe code.
 31. The method of claim 20, further comprising inserting afinger at a location on the tube to form a point of the fabric of thetube, and temporarily knotting the fabric of the tube at the point toform a temporary dart detail in the garment.
 32. The method of claim 31,further comprising forming a plurality of the temporary dart details inthe garment.
 33. The method of claim 20, further comprising inserting afinger at a location on the tube to form a point of the fabric of thetube, and temporarily wrapping at least one other band around the pointof the fabric to form a temporary dart detail in the garment.
 34. Themethod of claim 33, further comprising forming a plurality of thetemporary dart details in the garment.